# Ataru Esaka

Ataru Esaka (江坂 任, Esaka Ataru, born May 31, 1992) is a Japanese football player who play as a Attacking Midfielder or Winger and currently play for J1 League promoted club, Fagiano Okayama.

## Early life

Ataru was born in Sanda. He went to the Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School and the Ryutsu Keizai University.

## Career

Ataru made his debut for Thespakusatsu Gunma against Yokohama FC on the 8 March 2015. He scored his first goal for the club against Roasso Kumamoto on the 15 March 2015, scoring in the 5th minute.
Ataru made his debut for Omiya against Gamba Osaka on the 11 March 2016. He scored his first goal for the club against Sagan Tosu on the 21 May 2016, scoring in the 74th minute.
Ataru made his debut for Kashiwa against Vegalta Sendai on the 25 February 2018. He scored his first goals, a brace, against Gamba Osaka on the 18 March 2018, scoring in the 8th and 18th minute.
Ataru made his debut for Urawa against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on the 9 August 2021. He scored his first goal for the club on the 14 August 2021 against Sagan Tosu, scoring a penalty in the 84th minute.
Ataru made his debut for Ulsan against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on the 25 February 2023. He scored his first goal for the club on the 10 June 2023 against Jeju United, scoring in the 52nd minute.
On 23 December 2024, Esaka announce official transfer to J1 promoted club, Fagiano Okayama from 2025.

## International career

He made his debut for Japan national football team on 25 March 2021 in a friendly against South Korea.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of the match played 15 February 2025.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | League Cup | League Cup | Continental | Continental | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Thespakusatsu Gunma | 2015 | J2 League | 42 | 13 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 42 | 13 |
| Thespakusatsu Gunma | Total | Total | 42 | 13 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 42 | 13 |
| Omiya Ardija | 2016 | J1 League | 31 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 42 | 10 |
| Omiya Ardija | 2017 | J1 League | 34 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 38 | 9 |
| Omiya Ardija | Total | Total | 65 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 3 | – | – | – | – | 80 | 19 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 2018 | J1 League | 33 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 45 | 12 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 2019 | J2 League | 38 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 43 | 12 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 2020 | J1 League | 32 | 9 | – | – | 4 | 2 | – | – | – | – | 36 | 11 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 2021 | J1 League | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 19 | 2 |
| Kashiwa Reysol | Total | Total | 119 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 15 | 3 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 143 | 37 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 2021 | J1 League | 16 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | – | – | – | – | 24 | 7 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 2022 | J1 League | 30 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 43 | 6 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | Total | Total | 46 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 67 | 13 |
| Ulsan Hyundai/ Ulsan HD | 2023 | K League 1 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 10 | 1 | – | – | 33 | 4 |
| Ulsan Hyundai/ Ulsan HD | 2024 | K League 1 | 29 | 5 | 4 | 1 | – | – | 6 | 0 | – | – | 39 | 6 |
| Ulsan Hyundai/ Ulsan HD | Total | Total | 50 | 8 | 6 | 1 | – | – | 16 | 1 | – | – | 72 | 10 |
| Fagiano Okayama | 2025 | J1 League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 |
| Fagiano Okayama | Total | Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 1 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 323 | 74 | 22 | 6 | 32 | 8 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 406 | 93 |

## Honours

Kashiwa Reysol
* J2 League: 2019
Urawa Red Diamonds
* Emperor's Cup: 2021
* Japanese Super Cup: 2022
* AFC Champions League: 2022
Ulsan Hyundai / Ulsan HD
* K League 1: 2023, 2024